He loves what he is doing with the Mariners, he loves being the leader, but the Yankees sure miss his bat.

And Cano loves the time he spent with Derek Jeter and the lessons taught to him by the game’s classiest player.

The Yankees managed to squeeze out a 3-2 victory over the young Mariners Tuesday night at Safeco Field because of Jeter’s eighth-inning double and Jacoby Ellsbury’s run-scoring single.

Cano doubled and scored the Mariners’ first run in the first, was robbed of a hit by Ellsbury, who made a sliding catch in center field in the sixth, and then ripped a one-out single to center in the eighth but was stranded at first.

Before the game, Cano, who owns an eight-game hitting streak, gave Jeter a watch inscribed with these words: “Thanks for showing me how to be a leader. With love and respect, R.C.’’

Cano is the leading vote-getter for second basemen in the AL for the All-Star Game and Jeter is the leader at shortstop. They will be reunited as teammates in Minnesota. Cano said Jeter had a huge influence on his career.

“Every time I had a question, he was the guy I would ask and I really appreciated that. He was a superstar and he helped all the young players,’’ Cano said.

To start next to Jeter in Jeter’s last All-Star Game “would mean a lot,” Cano said. “I couldn’t even describe it.’’

Cano said he first met Jeter in 2001.

One piece of Jeter advice sticks out. “Even if you get a big contract,’’ Cano said Jeter once told him, “don’t ever feel like you have job security.’’

Cano got his big contract. The Mariners gave him $240 million for 10 years.

One reason the Yankees have been struggling with runners in scoring position much of the season is because they don’t have Cano in their lineup anymore.

The Yankees are 14th in the AL with a .662 OPS, while the Cano-led, no-name Mariners are sixth at .742.

The 32-31 Yankees have added plenty of payroll, but they have not been able to find that consistent RBI bat. Cano is batting .318 with runners in scoring position.

Manager Joe Girardi was asked if the Yankees offense missed Cano’s bat and he said that was not a fair question.

He did say of Cano, 31, that “he is still in the prime of his career. … He’d be young on this team.’’

When The Post was here six weeks ago, the Mariners were struggling, but manager Lloyd McClendon was confident his players would turn it around because of Cano’s leadership and ability. That is what has happened. Cano, who has 33 RBIs, more than any Yankee, has led a bunch of young players to a 34-30 record. They have won eight of 10.

Cano has just two home runs this season. Pitchers are pitching him away and he is taking what they are giving him. He is no longer hitting at Yankee Stadium with the short porch.

He admitted Tuesday night he took “advantage’’ of hitting at Yankee Stadium. That’s smart hitting.

In reality, Cano is a better hitter this season, batting .333 with little protection in the lineup.

Cano has matured as a player. He is expected to deliver on the field and as a leader, and the young Mariners have taken to his fun, relaxed approach to the game.

“I think my season is going good,’’ Cano said. “We’re playing good, we just want to keep winning. It’s not about me, it’s about our team. I didn’t put pressure on myself when I came here.’’

Cano said injuries have hurt the Yankees. He wanted to stay and gave them a chance to up their offer once the Mariners put their $240 million deal on the table.

The Yankees went from $170 million to $175 million. That was the end of the line.

Cano made his decision and moved on with his new baseball life with many new baseball challenges.